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Author(s): Mark A.F. Kendall
Abstract:
Millions of people die each year from infectious disease, and many more are affected by
allergies.
A major stumbling block to the full use of improved immunotherapies (e.g.
vaccines)
against these problems is our limited ability to deliver genes and drugs to the required sites in
the body.
Specifically, effective methods to deliver genes and drugs into outer skin and mucosal
layers (sites with immunological, physical and practical advantages that cannot be targeted via
traditional delivery methods) are lacking.
This chapter investigates this particular challenge for
physical delivery approaches.
The skin structural and immunogenic properties are examined in
the context of the physical cell targeting requirements of the viable epidermis.
Selected current
physical cell targeting technologies engineered to meet these needs are examined: needle and
syringe; diffusion patches; liquid jet injectors; microneedle arrays/patches; and biolistic particle
delivery.
The focus then moves to biolistic particle delivery: we first analyse engineering these
systems to meet demanding clinical needs.
The interaction of biolistic devices with the skin
is also examined, focusing on the mechanical interactions of ballistic impact and cell death.
Finally, the current clinical outcomes of one key application of engineered delivery devices –
DNA vaccines – are discussed.
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Pages: 22
Size: 2,408 kb
Paper DOI: 10.2495/978-1-84564-096-5/10
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